Does Rapid Shot Work With Flurry of Blows?
The short answer is no, Rapid Shot does not work with Flurry of Blows. This is a fairly straightforward ruling in most systems where these abilities exist. However, understanding why they don’t interact and exploring the nuances of these two abilities can be quite beneficial for players looking to optimize their combat strategies. Let’s delve deeper into the specifics.
Why Rapid Shot and Flurry of Blows Don’t Mix
The core reason these two abilities are incompatible lies in their specific mechanics and the way they are designed to function. Flurry of Blows, typically a monk ability, is designed for unarmed strikes or, in some cases, specific monk weapons in melee. It allows a monk to make two additional unarmed attacks as a bonus action, usually after taking the Attack action.
Rapid Shot, on the other hand, is a feat or ability that focuses on ranged attacks. It often grants an extra ranged attack, usually at a penalty, as part of the Attack action. The fundamental difference is that one is for melee, and the other for ranged. The game mechanics usually do not allow you to combine ranged attack bonuses with melee attack bonuses.
Key Differences
- Flurry of Blows: Primarily about unarmed, or monk-weapon, melee combat. It is often a bonus action ability, activated after an Attack action.
- Rapid Shot: Exclusively about ranged attacks. It’s typically integrated into the Attack action itself, sometimes at a penalty.
The problem arises because Flurry of Blows specifically requires a character to use unarmed strikes (or monk-weapons if allowed by other feats) and cannot work with the ranged weapons needed for Rapid Shot. These two skills use different actions and different methods. There is no mechanism to combine them. Therefore, attempting to combine both abilities into a single round of combat is simply not permitted.
Understanding the Nuances of Flurry of Blows
While Rapid Shot is not applicable, it’s essential to fully understand how Flurry of Blows works, especially its limitations and potential enhancements:
Core Functionality
At its base, Flurry of Blows allows a monk to make two additional unarmed strikes as a bonus action after using the Attack action. It is a key element of the monk’s damage output and combat style.
Weapon Restrictions
In most cases, the attacks made with Flurry of Blows must be unarmed strikes. However, some rulesets may allow the use of monk weapons if the monk has specific feats or abilities that enable them.
Bonus Action Requirement
Flurry of Blows uses the monk’s bonus action, meaning it can’t be used in conjunction with other bonus action abilities. The monk needs to choose between one or the other in most cases.
Multiple Targets
In some editions, you can target different creatures with your attacks made using Flurry of Blows. This versatility allows you to spread your damage across multiple foes.
The Scope of Rapid Shot
Rapid Shot also has its intricacies which differentiate it from Flurry of Blows and make it incompatible:
Range Focused
Rapid Shot is solely focused on ranged weapons. It’s a way for ranged combatants to make more attacks in a round.
Attack Action Integration
Unlike Flurry of Blows which is a bonus action, Rapid Shot is a part of the Attack Action. It does not interact with bonus actions at all.
Potential Penalties
Using Rapid Shot often involves attack roll penalties. The cost of the extra ranged attack is typically reduced accuracy.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Here are some frequently asked questions to provide even more clarity on these abilities and related topics:
1. What Weapons Can Be Used with Flurry of Blows?
Typically, Flurry of Blows uses unarmed strikes. In some cases, through features like Monastic Weaponry, specific monk weapons may be used.
2. Can I Use a Bo Staff With Flurry of Blows?
Generally, no. A bo staff would not normally qualify for Flurry of Blows, but some rulesets with specific feats that allow you to use monk weapons might change that. Check the specifics of your rules for your monk class.
3. Does Haste Work With Flurry of Blows?
Yes, Haste can stack with Flurry of Blows. Flurry acts essentially as two-weapon fighting, so Haste will stack normally. Haste will allow you to make another attack with the Attack action and will not impact the Flurry of Blows attack(s).
4. Is Flurry of Blows a Full Round Action?
Flurry of Blows is not a full round action. It uses a bonus action after your attack action. It is often part of a ‘full attack action’ type of sequence, but the ‘attack action’ itself and the ‘bonus action’ are different actions in most rulesets.
5. Can You Trip With Flurry of Blows?
Yes, Tripping an opponent can be done in place of any melee attack. If you are using Flurry of Blows, you could have the first attack be a trip attempt instead and then can attack with the other attacks as normal.
6. Does Flurry of Blows Stack With Two-Weapon Fighting?
No, Flurry of Blows does not stack with two-weapon fighting. Flurry of Blows acts as a separate set of strikes. These two don’t stack because they both use a bonus action.
7. Can You Flurry of Blows Multiple Targets?
Yes, you can. In some versions, you can spread your attacks with Flurry of Blows among different enemies if you want.
8. How Many Attacks Do Monks Get With Flurry of Blows?
At 5th level, if you use the attack action and then trigger the Flurry of Blows bonus action, you will get a total of four attacks (one with Attack Action, and two with Flurry, and then the Extra Attack from your class). If you don’t have an Extra Attack, it’s typically three attacks.
9. Can I Use Astral Arms With Flurry of Blows?
Yes, you can use Astral Arms with Flurry of Blows, provided the game system allows unarmed strikes with the arms of the Astral Self. Both are triggered by a bonus action. Since they both use the bonus action, you must pick which you want to do for your turn.
10. Can You Flurry of Blows After Booming Blade?
No, you generally can’t use Flurry of Blows after casting Booming Blade. Booming Blade takes the action for a spell cast in conjunction with an attack. In most cases, you will have to use an attack action to trigger the flurry of blows.
11. Does Flurry of Blows Stack With Unarmed Strike?
No, you cannot stack Flurry of Blows with the normal Unarmed Strike from Martial Arts. They both use a bonus action and you have to choose between one or the other.
12. Can You Use Flurry of Blows With a Quarterstaff?
Generally no, you cannot use a Quarterstaff for Flurry of Blows attacks because they must be unarmed strikes. But you may attack with the quarterstaff as part of the action that triggers the bonus Flurry of Blows. Then you must then make unarmed strikes with the flurry of blows.
13. Can You Rage and Use Flurry of Blows?
Yes, you can rage and use Flurry of Blows. They are independent actions.
14. Does Rapid Shot Stack With Two Weapon Fighting?
Yes, in some cases, Rapid Shot can stack with Two-Weapon Fighting if you are using ranged weapons that can be used with the two-weapon fighting rules. However, the rules may apply attack penalties.
15. Can You Flurry of Blows in Wild Shape?
Yes, you can generally use Flurry of Blows in wild shape, provided the wild shape allows you to perform the required actions, but it will ultimately be subject to DM discretion. If a creature can not make the attack with its own limbs, it can not make the unarmed strikes that trigger Flurry of Blows.
Conclusion
In summary, while the idea of combining Rapid Shot and Flurry of Blows might be appealing, their differing mechanics and targeted action types make them fundamentally incompatible. Understanding these distinct capabilities will allow you to optimize each ability in its intended role and avoid tactical errors. Always refer to your game system’s specific rules for the most precise information. Using the correct action at the correct time will be critical for success in combat!